Convertible diploma/certificate holder and wall display

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to a multi-purpose, double paneled, convertible apparatus which may be used as a protective holder and/or wall display for a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The apparatus may provide a safe and secure manner for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, and/or storing, for example, the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like and further may quickly be converted to provide an attractive display for hanging the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on a wall. In addition, the apparatus may be used to display the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on, for example, a table. The apparatus may have a first panel which may be connected to a second panel. Further, the first panel may rotate with respect to the second panel. The second panel may store the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like while the first panel may provide a cover for the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The backside of the second panel may have at least one strap which may secure the first panel, when rotated behind the second panel. In addition, the reverse side of the first panel may have an attachment for hanging the apparatus on, for example, a wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a multi-purpose, double paneled, convertible apparatus which may be used as a protective holder and/or wall display for a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The apparatus may provide a safe and secure manner for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, and/or storing, for example, the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like and further may quickly be converted to provide an attractive display for hanging the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on a wall. In addition, the apparatus may be used to display the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on, for example, a table. The apparatus may have a first panel which may be connected to a second panel. Further, the first panel may rotate with respect to the second panel. The second panel may store the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like while the first panel may provide a cover for the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The backside of the second panel may have at least one strap which may secure the first panel, when rotated behind the second panel. In addition, the reverse side of the first panel may have an attachment for hanging the apparatus on, for example, a wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,939 to Juern discloses a reversible display frame combination that may be pivotably mounted on a wall so as to enable its rotation while mounted to enable a user to selectively show the display item(s) contained therein from either side without a change in appearance of the combination, and method for employing same. The display frame combination comprises a reversible display frame and a suspension device. The reversible display frame comprises generally a frame member and one or more suspension rings attached to the frame member. In one version, the suspension rings are retractable. The suspension device enables rotation at a wall assembly by means of a pivotally coupled upper and lower loop member.

U.S. Pat. No. D396, 350 to Panzenhagen discloses an ornamental design for a picture frame apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,565 to Shadwell discloses a rectangular picture frame that can be opened and closed repeatedly for mounting and changing the picture to be displayed in the frame. The picture framing device is characterized by a rigid backing sheet, which is hinge mounted along one edge of the frame and releasable secured to the frame along its other three edges with adhesive tape. A triangular corner section of the backing sheet is removed to allow for lifting of the backing sheet from a closed or seated position and swinging it about the hinged edge to provide access to the frame interior for inserting or changing pictures.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,538 to Pierce et al. discloses a device for retaining and displaying one or more photographs includes a pair of frames which are mirror images and are connected along one edge by a hinge. Each frame has an outer wall approximately equal in size and shape to the photograph and a plurality of side walls extending at an obtuse angle in the same direction from a periphery of the outer wall. The hinge permits the frames to be moved from an open position wherein the photograph can be inserted between the outer walls to a closed position wherein the photograph is retained between the outer walls. An opening in at least one of the outer walls permits the photograph to be displayed. An outer surface of each of the outer walls has a groove formed therein for retaining one end of a pair of legs attached to a base portion of a clip. The base portion of the clip can be placed on a generally horizontal surface and the legs will maintain the outer walls of the frames in a generally vertical position to display the photograph. Interior latch means can be provided to maintain the frames in the closed position.

However, these patents fail to disclose a multi-purpose apparatus for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, displaying and/or storing a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which has the features of the present invention. More specifically, these patents fail to disclose a convertible protective holder and/or wall display having a first panel and second panel wherein the first panel may rotate three hundred and sixty degrees behind the second panel and may be secured behind the second panel in a quick and efficient manner. A need, therefore, exists for an improved multi-purpose apparatus for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, displaying and/or storing a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like as described in the present application which can quickly convert from a protective holder to a wall display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a multi-purpose, double paneled, convertible apparatus which may be used as a protective holder and/or wall display for a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The apparatus may provide a safe and secure manner for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, and/or storing, for example, the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like and further may quickly be converted to provide an attractive display for hanging the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on a wall. In addition, the apparatus may be used to display the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on, for example, a table. The apparatus may have a first panel which may be connected to a second panel. Further, the first panel may rotate with respect to the second panel. The second panel may store the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like while the first panel may provide a cover for the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The backside of the second panel may have at least one strap which may secure the first panel, when rotated behind the second panel. In addition, the reverse side of the first panel may have an attachment for hanging the apparatus on, for example, a wall.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which is environmentally friendly in that it reduces materials consumed in producing both a holder and a wall display.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and or wall display which can quickly convert from a protective holder to a wall display for a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like.

Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display in which a document, certificate, diploma, photograph or the like may be easily placed or secured and from which a document, certificate, diploma, photograph or the like may be easily removed.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to secure a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which is light-weight.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to receive a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to hold a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to transport a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to protect a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to secure a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which may allow a first panel to quickly rotate approximately three hundred and sixty degrees with respect to a second panel.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to secure a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which has a strap for securing a first panel behind a second panel.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to secure a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which has a device for hanging the invention on the wall.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to display a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to store a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like.

A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to secure a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which may have a protective layer for protecting a document.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to archive and preserve, in an acid free environment, a document, certificate, diploma, photograph or the like.

For a more complete understanding of the above listed features and advantages of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display reference should be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and to the accompanying drawings. Further, additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the apparatus is in a partly-opened position B.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back perspective view of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the apparatus is in a partly-open position B.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the apparatus is moved from position 3A to position 3D.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the front side of the first panel of multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the first panel is secured to the second panel.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the front side of the second panel of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the first panel is secured to the second panel.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the back side of the first panel of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the first panel is secured to the second panel.

FIG. 7 illustrates a back perspective view of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally relates to a multi-purpose, double paneled, convertible apparatus which may be used as a protective holder and/or wall display for a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The apparatus may provide a safe and secure manner for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, and/or storing, for example, the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like and further may quickly be converted to provide an attractive display for hanging the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on a wall. In addition, the apparatus may be used to display the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on, for example, a table. The apparatus may have a first panel which may be connected to a second panel. Further, the first panel may rotate with respect to the second panel. The second panel may store the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like while the first panel may provide a cover for the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The backside of the second panel may have at least one strap which may secure the first panel, when rotated behind the second panel. In addition, the reverse side of the first panel may have an attachment for hanging the apparatus on, for example, a wall.

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 1 may have a first panel 2 and a second panel 3. The first panel 2 may have a first side 4, a second side 5, a top side 6, a bottom side 7, a front 8 and a back 9. The second panel 3 may have a first side 10, a second side 11, a top side 12, a bottom side 13, a front 14 and a back 15. The first side 4 of the first panel 2 may be connected to the second side 11 of the second panel 3 so that the first panel 2 may rotate with respect to the second panel 3. More specifically, the first side 4 of the first panel 2 may be connected to the second side 11 of the second panel 3 by, for example, a hinge 16. Alternatively, the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 may be constructed as a single unit with a crease 16 a dividing the unit into the first panel 2 and second panel 3 wherein the first panel 2 may rotate with respect to the second panel 3. Further, the first panel 2 may rotate approximately three hundred and sixty degrees with respect to the second panel 3.

The second panel 3 may have a border 20 forming a perimeter 40. The perimeter 40 of the apparatus may be a frame. More specifically, the frame (perimeter 40) may be, for example, a wood, metal, plastic or other material which creates a border around the certificate, diploma, photograph or the like. The perimeter 40 of the border 20 may be smaller than a perimeter 41 of the second panel 3. More specifically, the border 20 of the second panel 3 may be completely within the perimeter 41 of the second panel 3. A diploma, certificate, photograph 30 or the like may be secured within the border 20 of the second panel 3 by, for example, being slid into place between the front 14 of the second panel 3 and a transparent layer 42 secured within the border 20. The transparent layer 42 may be made from, for example, glass, plastic or the like. A slit 43 in the border 20 may allow the user to slide the document 30 between the transparent layer 42 and front 14 of the second panel 3.

A hanging device 60 may be located on the front 8 of the first panel 2. The hanging device 60 may be, for example, a loop, an indentation in a metal tab or the like which is used to hang an item on a nail or hook. When the first panel 2 is rotated into the second position D (FIG. 3), the hanging device 60 may be located on the outside back of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display 1.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the back 15 of the second panel 3 may have, for example, at least one strap 50. The strap 50 may have a first end 51 and a second 52. The first end 51 of the strap 50 may be secured near the top side 12 of the back 15 of the second panel 3 and the second end 52 of the strap 50 may be secured to the bottom side 13 of the back 15 of the second panel 3. When viewing the apparatus 1 from the front, the strap 50 may be located behind the second panel 3 and, therefore, not visible. Preferably, the strap 50 may be constructed from an elastic material such that the user may stretch the strap 50 around the first panel 2 and then release the strap 50 such that the strap 50 may secure the first panel 2 to the second panel 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3D, the first panel 2 may quickly be rotated approximately three hundred and sixty degrees from a first position A to a second position D. In the first position A, the first panel 2 may obscure the view of the diploma, certificate or photograph 30 stored in the second panel 3. When the first panel 2 is rotated behind the second panel 3 the user may secure a portion of the first panel 2 under the strap 50 behind the second panel 3. In this second position D, from the front, the user may view the diploma, certificate, photograph 30 or the like located under the transparent layer 42. Further, in this second position D, the first panel 2 is obscured from view by the second panel 3. In the second position D, the back 9 of the first panel 2 moves into contact with the back side 15 of the second panel 3. As a result, the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 may be secured together and the first panel 2 may be restricted from rotating with respect to the second panel 3. The figures illustrate the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 rotating around the side of the apparatus 1; however, it should be noted that the panels may rotate over the top 12 of the of the second panel 3 of the apparatus 1 or the bottom 13 of the second panel 3 of the apparatus 1.

The back 15 of the second panel 3 may have a plurality of straps 50 which may be used to secure portions of the first panel 2. The straps 50 may be elastic so that the user may pull the straps to insert the first panel 2 through an opening 105 between the straps 50 and the back side 15 of the second panel 3. The user may then release the straps 50 and the straps 50 may secure the first panel 2 to the second panel 3.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in another embodiment, the back side 9 of the first panel 2 may have a hook and loop fastener strip 62, zipper 63, button 64 or the like which is used to secure the back side 9 of the first panel 2 to a corresponding hook and loop fastener, zipper or button on the back side 15 of the second panel 3. It should be noted that the apparatus may lack a hook and loop fastener strip 62, a zipper 63 or a button 64.

As an alternative to hanging the apparatus on a wall, the apparatus may simply be placed on, for example, a table, mantle, shelf or the like. More specifically, the apparatus may be partly opened, as illustrated in FIG. 1 (between position A and position D). When the apparatus is simply placed on a table, mantle, shelf or the like the first panel 2 is generally at an angle of approximately 20-160 degrees with respect to the second panel 3 such that the apparatus may be stable and will not easily fall over.

Although embodiments of the present invention are shown and described therein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 

1) A generally rectangular holder and/or wall display comprising: a first panel having a first side, a second side, a top side, a bottom side, a front and a back; a second panel having a first side, a second side, a top side, a bottom side, a front and a back and wherein the first side of the first panel and the second side of the second panel are connected at a crease and wherein the first panel may quickly rotate approximately three hundred and sixty degrees around the crease with respect to the second panel; and a securing device located on the back of the second panel wherein the securing device secures the first panel to the second panel. 2) The generally rectangular holder and/or wall display of claim 1 further comprising: a transparent layer secured to the front side of the second panel wherein the transparent layer allows for the viewing of an item located between the transparent layer and the front side of the second panel. 3) The generally rectangular holder and/or wall display of claim 1 further comprising: a hook or other hanging device located on the front side of the first panel wherein the hook or other hanging device is used to secure the display frame on a wall. 4) The generally rectangular holder and/or wall display of claim 1 further comprising: a slit located between the transparent layer and the front side of the second panel wherein the slit allows the insertion of an item between the transparent layer and the front side of the second layer. 